Simunovic is all worked up for a Final flourish

JOZO SIMUNOVIC has declared himself ready to step up his competitive workload by starting today’s Betfred League Cup Final against Aberdeen at Hampden.

Sidelined for much of 2016 with a serious cartilage injury, Simunovic has been eased back into the first-team fold since re-emerging in September, with manager Brendan Rodgers admitting he was reluctant to overexpose the Croatian defender to the rigours of first-team football.

Having come through his Champions League debut against Barcelona unscathed, the 22-year-old insists he is ready to start another showpiece match just four days later.

‘I feel strong for the Cup Final,’ said Simunovic. ‘I understand why the manager has taken me out of the team at times but I am now ready to go in this game.

‘There are a lot of games and you have to be careful but I have been training normally with the team. I have told the boss that I am ready to play in every game. We speak all the time and we always decide things together. I am only 22 and I don’t want to do anything that may affect me later in my career.

‘It has been a case of building myself week after week. Barcelona is finished now and the focus is on Aberdeen. This is the chance to win the first trophy of the season.’

A £3million signing from Dinamo Zagreb at the start of last season, Simunovic (right) endured a troubled first season at Parkhead but, following surgery and an aborted summer transfer to Italian club Torino, he has emerged as one of Rodgers’ key players.

With defeat to Barca closing off the prospect of European football for Celtic after Christmas, Simunovic expects to string more games together in the new year.

‘We have a tight schedule

now with so many games in December but then we have the break in January and it will be easier. There is nothing to worry about now.’

Although Kolo Toure has served as a steadying influence since joining up with his old Liverpool boss on a free transfer, the partnership of Simunovic and Erik Sviatchenko has emerged as the most promising for the future.

The pair united in Europe for the first time against Barca’s feted front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, and — despite the 2-0 defeat — emerged with their reputations enhanced.

‘I always want to be better but I am happy with the level I’m playing at,’ he added. ‘I just need to continue to build up my fitness.

‘We played against three of the best strikers in the world on Wednesday night and although we didn’t win the game, I think we showed that we can be compact.

‘The first goal they scored (Lionel Messi’s) was of the highest quality and that’s why they are the best in the world — maybe the best ever.

‘I think Erik and I are forming a good partnership but it doesn’t matter who plays, it’s what is best for the team.’

Simunovic won a Premiership title medal during his first season in Scotland but concedes he is hungry for more honours.

‘I have won a lot of trophies already in my career,’ he said, ‘but each is special and I really want another this weekend.’